CURT'S SO GOOD: Curtis Granderson rips a third-inning leadoff homer at the Stadium yesterday -- the first of his two dingers on the day to help the Yankees to a 12-6 win over the Royals.Neil Miller

The Yankees’ refusal to give in to what they believed were unreasonable demands by the Diamondbacks for Dan Haren resulted in the right-hander being dealt to the Angels yesterday for pitcher Joe Saunders and a package of minor-leaguers.

“I haven’t looked at it that closely,” GM Brian Cashman said when asked what he thought of the deal.

The Yankees and Diamondbacks talked, but the Yankees balked at paying the entire $31.75 million remaining on Haren’s contract that is guaranteed through 2012. And they also were against including pitching prospect Ivan Nova.

Plus, the Yankees will need plenty of money to ink free agent Cliff Lee this winter and don’t want to have Haren’s money negate the savings of losing Javier Vazquez and his $11.5 million.

“He is not what he was, but he is still a good guy to have because he competes,” an NL talent evaluator said of the 29-year-old Haren, who was 7-8 with a 4.60 ERA this year for the terrible Diamondbacks and has a career record of 86-70 with a 3.71 ERA.

The Yankees also believe the asking price for Baltimore infielder Ty Wigginton is too steep. Fifteen teams have contacted the O’s about Wigginton. And there are questions whether Orioles owner Peter Angelos will approve a deal that would send Wigginton to an AL East team.

Wigginton is playing while appealing a three-game suspension for bumping umpire Gary Darling Thursday.

According to an O’s source, the Yankees have shown “a little interest” in Miguel Tejada, but the Yankees appear only to be doing their due diligence there.

The Yankees also are talking to the Blue Jays about lefty reliever Scott Downs, who has held left-handed hitters to a .189 (10-for-53) average, and inquired about O’s lefty Will Ohman, against whom left-handed hitters are batting .207 (12-for-58).

The Yankees, who are concerned with Joba Chamberlain working the eighth inning, would love to pry Joakim Soria away from the Royals, but K.C.’s asking price on other players has been exorbitant, so what they would want for their closer might be too much to make a deal with anybody.

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All 15 of the homers given up by Phil Hughes this year, including two yesterday, have been hit at home.

“I have pitched a lot better on the road than here,” said Hughes, who surrendered homers to Scott Podsednik and Rick Ankiel yesterday.

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Sergio Mitre is listed as the Yankees’ starter Thursday against the Indians in Cleveland. However, Joe Girardi left the door ajar that the plan could change.

Girardi said that if he opted for another pitcher — Dustin Moseley and Chad Gaudin are candidates — they would have to know by today.

Mark Teixeira continues to sizzle. His 2-for-4 yesterday raised his July batting average to .405 (30-for-74). He has driven in 22 runs this month and has reached base in 41 straight games. That ties the longest streak in the majors this year with Cincinnati’s Joey Votto.

Since June 8, Teixeira has raised his average from .211 to .264.

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Alfredo Aceves’ back feels well enough to continue rehab work with the club in Cleveland. . . . Nick Johnson (right wrist surgery) left for Tampa yesterday. He will continue to hit off a tee.

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For the second time in six days, a catcher was called for an equipment violation in regard to stopping a ball. Yesterday, Jorge Posada’s discarded mask covered a live ball, and Ankiel was awarded home in the ninth inning. Last Tuesday, the Angels’ Jeff Mathis used his equipment to stop a moving ball and Posada was awarded third base.

“I have seen it intentionally, I have never seen it unintentionally,” Girardi, a former catcher, said.